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100 - ‘Dietary intake of inulin-type fructans in active and inactive Crohn’s disease and healthy controls: a case–control study’. Journal of Crohn's and Colitis. 1024–1031

Reference Number: 100

Year: 2015

Authors: Jacqueline L. Anderson, Charlotte R. Hedin, Jane L. Benjamin, Andreas Koutsoumpas, Siew C. Ng, Ailsa L. Hart, Alastair Forbes, Andrew J. Stagg, James O. Lindsay, Kevin Whelan

Link: Link to original paper

Health: Colitis | Crohns | FODMAPS

Nutrition: Fibre

Intolerance & Sensitivity: FODMAPS

Summary

Introduction

Prebiotic inulin-type fructans are widely consumed in the diet and may have contrasting effects in Crohn’s disease by stimulating gut microbiota and/or by generating functional gastrointestinal symptoms.

Aim

The aim of this study was to measure fructan and oligofructose intakes in patients with active and inactive Crohn’s disease compared with healthy controls.

Methods

Patients with active Crohn’s disease (n = 98), inactive Crohn’s (n = 99) and healthy controls (n = 106) were recruited to a case–control study.Dietary intake of inulin-type fructans was measured using a food frequency questionnaire and was compared between the three groups and between patients with different disease phenotypes (Montreal classi cation). Associations between intakes and disease activity (Harvey–Bradshaw Index, HBI) were also undertaken.Results: Patients with active Crohn’s disease had lower fructan intakes (median 2.9 g/d, interquartile range [IQR] 1.8) than those with inactive Crohn’s (3.6 g/d, 2.1, p = 0.036) or controls (3.9 g/d, 2.1, p = 0.003) and lower oligofructose intakes (2.8 g/d, 1.8) than those with inactive Crohn’s (3.5 g/d, 2.2, p = 0.048) or controls (3.8 g/d, 2.1, p = 0.003).

Results

There were no differences in intakes related to disease site or behaviour. There were negative correlations between HBI well-being score and fructan intake (p = 0.03) and oligofructose intake (p = 0.028) and for the HBI abdominal pain score and fructan  (p = 0.021) and oligofructose intake (p = 0.027).

Conclusions

Patients with active Crohn’s disease consume lower quantities of fructans and oligofructose than their inactive counterparts and healthy controls.The impact of lower intakes of prebiotic fructans on gut microbiota is unknown and warrants further research.

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All reasonable care is taken when advising about health aspects of bread, but the information that we share is not intended to take the place of treatment by a qualified medical practitioner. You must seek professional advice if you are in any doubt about any medical condition. Any application of the ideas and information contained on this website is at the reader's sole discretion and risk.

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